If I had more time, I would be writing a blog called ‘Connected Cameras’ unfortunately I don’t but today’s news about the new Android-powered Nikon S800C makes me wonder if I could create the time needed for this important, game-changing product category of connected and smart cameras. For the time being I’ll continue here though, it’s about the only thing I write about here anyway so maybe I’ll just re-name this blog!
Back to the Nikon S800C – It’s a camera, with Wifi, and and Android back! It’s not a phone (no 3G that I can see either) but it’s a very significant step towards a truly flexible connected camera. One could argue that the Nokia 808 Pureview is primarily a connected camera but it’s not, it’s a connected cameraphone which puts very specific design limits in place. The Nikon S800C is a camera, with optical zoom, and Android 2.3. At last.
I’ve been waiting for this for years. Google Plus was made for this sort of hardware
How would it affect my 3-device ideal though? The Nikon [I wrote Nokin there!] doesn’t replace anything in my phone, tablet and laptop set-up. It can’t compete with the Panasonic Lumix FZ150 that I’m so happy with either so where does it fit into a mobile device set-up? For me, it’s an additional device which is a shame because I want to be more mobile, not less mobile.
My Nokia N8 still stuns me with it’s ability to produce awesome images. Only last week I was using the Xenon flash for daylight fill-in purposes thinking – it still rocks. Who needs tone mapping when you can use the flash! Web and apps suck, but it works fantastically well as a phone, MP3 player, in-car navi and entertainment unit and of course, camera-in-the-pocket. I have a small tablet for the rest.
Without 3G or even Bluetooth the Nikon [I wrote Nokin again!] isn’t even a mobile connected device. I’d have to turn on Wi-Fi sharing on the tablet to go mobile with this and while that’s better for instant uploads than the Nokia, it’s not a clean mobile solution.
The Nokia PureView is still in a unique position, a strong position for connect camera lovers who generally, are away from a Wi-Fi hotspot. The 10x zoom is something that excites me but really, if I’ve got to put my Android tablet between the camera and the Internet to make it ‘connected’ why don’t I consider the Samsung WiFi-enabled solutions?
Connected cameras are forming into three distinct groups.
1 – WiFi enabled cameras. (Connected cameras)
2 – WiFi (and potentially 3G) cameras (Smart Connected Cameras) with common operating systems (personally I think Apple could storm this part of the market with an IOS camera)
3 – High-end cameraphones – the mobile,smart, connected cameras.
WiFi-enabled cameras are at risk from the other two categories in my opinion. The appeal of a known mobile OS brand and the sharing and apps that come with it are too attractive. The real fight will be between the phones and the smart connected cameras. if Nokia and Microsoft get PureView into their new range of Windows 8 phones and if Apple keep on improving the iPhone camera experience then the Smart Connected Cameras will have a tough time in the mainstream market. What they need to do is move into the same market as bridge cameras that offer ‘do it all’ experiences that can be used by professionals. Journalists will never let go of their DSLRs but they know the value of a connected camera and something like the FZ150 with an Android back would be extremely interesting and command a high price. It wouldn’t cross-over other segments as much either. I truly believe that Apple have an opportunity with a $600 iCamera product here too.
This Nikon announcement is just the start. I’m expecting to see more connected and smart cameras at IFA in just over a week. In the meantime, I better get this blog looking more like a connected camera blog! Whos’ with me?
Steve, it’s actually a good idea to re-name the blog :-)
Seriously, i have been thinking and sometimes even testing the various scenarios you described. I own a Samsung P&S cam with Wifi (2nd gen cam). It’s a great cam but i still need at least my smartphone or tablet to get it connected via 3G. The cam is fine but it lacks features i need: high quality pictures and ruggedness. So i got myself an Olympus TG-1. But this one is not “connected”. The Nikon (not Nokin..hehe) is a combination of camera and phone but may lack both. I would still go for a Samsung NX210 or the new mirrorless cams with Wifi. But prices are still a bit too high for that kind of fun.
So here is my current setup which i find to be absolutely perfect and unmatched by any type of wifi-enable cam or android-driven camera:
my Galaxy Nexus (android 4.1 Jelly Bean) rooted with usb host (FAT and NTFS) and my Olympus TG-1 connected via USB host cable. Connect the camera with the short cable to the phone and transfer in seconds the pictures to the phone and share / post / blog etc.
You may say: why not having this in one single device? simple answer: impossible. cameras are so individual as the users and the phones as well, combining them would create something like millions of different devices each one with different setups. pureview is one type of camera in one phone. no lenses, no filters..nothing, not rugged. you would need 20 different pureviews to cover a part of possible users. not everybody likes small cameras. you would need to create something bigger… an iOS camera? so the market would be stormed by one single camera for all humans. how boring. apple is exactly the opposite of choice and variety. they don’t offer individual products for individual people. they create one for millions. that’s the definition of boring.
And then…even if you have that Nikon with you, don’t you still have your smartphone or tablet with you? I wouldn’t leave my phone at home just to use the Nikon… i still need to share or whatsapp. so i ALWAYS have my phone and can carry the camera with me, connect it via cable to the phone and share exactly as i want it.
I think we agree there. The S800C doesn’t really fit in.
I love the idea of USB host on a tablet and the Galaxy Note was always attractive to me because of that. I’m still interested in it, especially as it has removable battery.
I’ll try and blog more about the connected cameras. Maybe it’s my late 2013 project, when Ultrabooks become too much for me to handle!
Steve
Seems to me that the Android (2.3 no less) is minimally there for “easy” access to social networking services (as well as future proofing vs building their own firmware).
The screen resolution is not really workable for anything more.
Btw, there are some non-smartphones floating around with wifi capability. Not sure if any of them can act as a hotspot tho.
Then again some in the tech press are starting to buzz about tablets in the bag and various short range wireless devices for the phone basics via said tablet, so who really knows at the moment?